System consolidation including new network, ICT suites, fibre connectivity and interactive touchscreens with scope for future growth and expansion

Background

Langley Preparatory School at Taverham Hall is an independent nursery and prep school situated six miles from Norwich in 100 acres of woodland. As well as educating children aged 2 – 13, the school also opens up its extensive facilities to the community and local clubs including a newly opened Astro Turf pitch, sports hall, tennis and netball courts, indoor swimming pool and cricket pitches.

Why Call Netcentral?

In 2014 the schools Head of Computing, Kris Harris, recognised that the IT system needed updating and invited nine IT companies to review and consider an ICT upgrade. Kris knew what the school wanted to achieve and was looking for a supplier who could make this reality.

Netcentral were selected, based on their approachability plus their attitude to working within the schools budget; in addition to thinking to the future in terms of scalability, growth and expansion.

Kris added: “Netcentral demonstrated that they had excellent technical knowledge but also understood our individual requirements, without pushing systems or equipment that we didn’t need. Nik in particular gave us full confidence that the new system would not only be the best solution but comply with all relevant data protection and regulations.”

The Solution

Initially Netcentral installed two new Hyper-V servers, upgraded the server software to Windows Server 2012 and reduced the total number of servers from six to two. Two large cabling jobs were then completed – firstly to consolidate an extensive network into a hub and spoke design with fibre connectivity to increase performance and move the server room. Secondly, new connections were provided to a new ICT suite of 20 computers and additional classrooms.

The team designed, supplied and installed a new music ICT suite with iMacs for pupils to use for recording and composing. Netcentral also installed BenQ 65” Interactive Touchscreens in each classroom to enhance teaching – also resulting in an annual saving on running costs compared to the schools projection solution, as well as being far more reliable.

Netcentral advised the school during the installation of a Leased Line internet connection and installed a new firewall for protection. Current projects in the pipeline include installation of a Fortinet Meru Wireless network throughout the site.

Microsoft Hyper-V Server

Network Cabling

ICT Suite Installation

Interactive Touchscreens

Hardware Firewall

Fortinet Meru Wi-Fi

School Feedback

“Netcentral go above and beyond their remit to prove just how competent they are and as a consequence I have complete trust that they will deliver exactly what we need, in the most cost effective way. This was proven during our recent expansion, as the system Netcentral installed was designed to be scalable, it proved relatively simple to merge computer suites and cope with increased capacity.

“The team clearly know their stuff but explain solutions without bamboozling with ‘tech talk’; their pricing is extremely competitive and we’re able to contact them out-of-hours if needed to solve urgent problems. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them and wouldn’t use anyone else.”